EFFECTS OF DISPERSED RURAL SETTLEMENT PATTERNS ON ACCESS ROADS IN YONOV COMMUNITY LOGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between dispersed rural settlement patterns and rural access roads in Yonov community of Logo local government area of Benue state. The research is born out of the desire to investigate why rural settlements in Benue state particularly Tiv speaking area lack basic infrastructural amenities like rural access roads among others. The study adopted a survey research method. Using Taro Yamane sampling technique, respondents were selected from the area and other critical stakeholders. With a sampled population of 327 respondents, the questions sought to find out to what extent the dispersed settlement patterns affected the construction and accessibility of rural roads in the community. The results show that the dispersed settlement pattern in the area affected these indices negatively. The study therefore recommended that the government should encourage the community to resettle in clusters through the provision of incentives and the establishment of a market in the area. The government should also construct a motorable road which will be continuously maintained. This will also increase value for their crops hence ready access to markets and less damage to their crops and increase quality of life for the people.